What Factors Affect the Color of My Teeth?

Some people’s teeth are naturally yellower. Some teeth turn yellow with age. Moreover, your natural tooth color can be affected by many factors. Surface stains (called external stains by dentists) and discoloration can be caused by:

Tobacco (smoking or chewing tobacco)
Coffee, tea or red wine
Eating foods with high pigment content, such as cherries and blackberries
Tartar formation as a result of hardening of the plaque
Internal stains (called internal staining by dentists) can be caused by:
Antibiotic (tetracycline) treatment during the formation of teeth
Yellowing or graying of teeth during the aging process
Tooth trauma that can cause death of the dental nerve gives the tooth a brown, gray or black color
Excessive fluoride consumption during the formation of teeth (from birth to 16 years of age) gives the teeth a ‘speckled’ look.

What are Teeth Whitening Methods?

Cleaning conducted by the dentist removes external stains left by food and tobacco. Moreover, using a whitening toothpaste can help remove these surface stains between visits to the dentist. If the stains have been present for many years, you may need to have your teeth professionally whitened to remove these stubborn external stains. Internal stains can be corrected by bleaching, filling or capping (with a crown). While each of these methods is safe and effective, your dentist will recommend the appropriate treatment for you based on the condition of your teeth and the results you want to achieve. Issues that your dentist will pay attention to include:
–Degree and type of staining
–How much of the tooth structure is present (Does the tooth shape need to be changed?)

How is Whitening Applied?

Whitening can be done either in the dentist’s office or at home using a system provided by your dentist. In both methods, tooth bleaching gels that oxidize the stain are used. It is normal to have sensitivity in the teeth during the whitening process.

Teeth Whitening at Home

Nowadays, whitening the teeth at home is a more popular method. Your dentist will measure your jaw and make a plate. This plate is filled with a home whitening gel that is used for up to two hours a day or at night for two weeks. Many whitening kits recommended by dentists today contain 10-15% carbamide peroxide solution. At-home teeth whitening can be very effective when done under the supervision of your dentist.

Teeth Whitening at the Dentist’s Office

This less common and more expensive procedure takes 30 minutes to an hour per visit and may require several sessions to achieve the desired whiteness. To protect your mouth, a gel-like substance may be applied to your gums and a rubber ‘guard’ may be placed around the neck of the tooth. Next, an oxidizing whitening solution is applied to your teeth. Sometimes a special light is used at five-minute intervals to help activate the whitening agent.